Hunapú (Volcan de Agua) EarthCache
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Summary:
Hunapú or Agua is a spectacular and regular shaped stratovolcano south of Antigua, Guatemala. It is 3765 m high and on its lower slopes there are some local agriculture and coffee plantations. Back in 1541 a huge outbreak of water caused the destruction of a former capital. Your task will be to climb to its summit and to answer the questions described below.
Cache description:
Agua volcano is one of the most famous landmarks in Guatemala. Its regular shape is almost unique and you can clearly see it from most parts of the capital and from Antigua. The summit height is 3765 m a.s.l. For this Earthcache you will have to climb to the top of the volcano. Best starting point is the village of Santa María de Jesús, south of Antigua, at 2050 m a.s.l. Bring enough food and water with you, the climb is long and strenuous. You will have to ascend 1700 m by foot and descend the same way. It is possible to do it in one day, if you are in good shape, but you have to start early in the morning. It is strongly recommended to hire a guide at the municipalidad of the village! This way you'll be helping the community.
Unfortunately some local tourists left lots of litter in the past and this is one thing that bothers the guides. Even though the guides and their helpers clean the path every week (at least they say so) it seems to be a cultural problem that cannot be solved immediately.
Agua seems to be an extinct or resting stratovolcano and no magmatic activity or outbreak has been recorded since the conquest of Guatemala by Pedro de Alvarado. Geologically it is not old though, it was formed in the Holocene era (Holocene began 11700 years ago and is still continuing).
Other famous stratovolcanos are for example Etna, Vesuvius and Mt. St. Helens. They are characterized by gentle lower slopes and steep upper slopes. The name “stratovolcano” derives from their layered or stratified appearance with alternating lava, lahars (mud flows) and tephra (loose volcanic material like ashes, lapilli or volcanic bombs). These volcanos mostly form at convergent tectonic plates. In this case it is the Central American plate and the Cocos plate which cause frequent earthquakes in the area. These volcanos may rest for a long time but their outbreaks are amongst the most dangerous. Agua’s most active neighbor volcanos are Fuego (fire) and Pacaya.
In 1541, however, when after three days of heavy rain a large amount of water had collected in the crater of Hunapú, the rim broke and all of its contents (water and solid materials) rushed down the slopes, creating a devastating landslide (lahar). The debris hit the second capital of Guatemala, Ciudad Vieja and destroyed it, causing many deaths. As of this catastrophe, the capital was then transferred to La Antigua. This is why Hunapú (place of flowers) was named “Agua” or “water” by the Spanish speaking conquerors.
Tasks:
1. During your ascent to the summit you will come across a narrow gorge (quite high up), called “malpaso” (ask your guide). What do you think, is the reason for this geological formation?
2. Describe briefly the appearance of the walls of the gorge and its layers.
3. Once near the summit, walk inside the crater and to the rim; there you will find rocks of a distinct color: describe the color of these rocks.
4. In relation to the center of the crater, where did the outbreak of the water in 1541 occur (N, S,W or E)?
5. (Optional) Take a picture of your group or yourself near the gorge and/or the crater with your GPS.
Castellano:
Hunapú o Agua es un stratovolcano espectacular en el sur de Antigua, Guatemala. Su altitud es de 3765 metros y hay plantaciones de café y otras frutas en sus lados. Se puede mirar su vista impresionante desde muchas partes de la ciudad capital. En el año 1541 un derrumbe gigante destruyó la segunda capital de Antigua, Ciudad Vieja. Tu tarea es de subir al cráter y de contestar las preguntas.
El punto de salida será en el pueblo Santa María de Jesús de 2050 m. Lleva bastante agua y comida, porque la subida es difícil. Es posible de hacerla en un día, pero es indispensable de comenzar muy temprano. Tienes que subir por 1700 metros y bajar por el mismo camino. Si recomienda contratar un guía en la municipalidad del pueblo! Lamentablemente la gente deja mucha basura en el camino y esto enfada la poblacion del pueblo y los guías. Es un problema de educación y se espera que se mejore en el futuro.
Agua no tuvo ninguna actividad volcanica desde la conquista de Guatemala por Pedro de Alvarado. Geologicamente el volcán no es viejo, es del Holocene. La era del Holocene empezaba hace 11700 años y dura todavía. Stratovolcanos tienen estratos de diferentes tipos de piedras, como lava y tephra (materiales flojos como cenizas). Están localizados prevalentemente entre dos placas tectónicas como la placa Centroamericana y la placa Cocos. Tambien causan muchos terremotos y temblores en esa area. La forma de Hunapú es conico con lados regulares pero devienen más abruptas cerca de la cumbre.
En el año 1541, despues tres días de lluvia una gran cantidad de agua se colectó en el cráter. El material de la pared se rompió y un inmenso derrumbe se movió hacía la capital Ciudad Vieja destruyendo casi todas las casas y causando muchos muertos. Después esa catastrophe la capital devino La Antigua y Hunapú (lugar de flores) fue nominado “Agua”.
Tareas:
1. En el curso del camino vas a venir a un canyon abrupto, llamado “malpaso”; Que piensas, estaba la razón por esa formacion geologica?
2. Describe la aparicion des las paredes y de la formacion geológica del canyon.
3. Cuando llegas al crater, allá y en la cresta encontrarás piedras de colores distintos: describe el color de esas piedras.
4. En relación con el centro del cráter, donde ocurrió el flujo del agua in 1541 (N, S, E, O)?
5. (Opcional) Saca una foto de tu grupo cerca del cráter y/o del canyon con tu GPS. 
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)